Point of View

The story is told from a third person narrator’s point of view. This allows the reader to connect with each of the characters in a similar manner, understanding each of their thoughts and emotions equally, or as much as the author, Peter Nichols, chooses to share. The reader does not connect more with one person’s version of events, or led to favor them above the others. All of the four main characters exhibit traits that are admirable and traits that are contemptible. It is this human aspect of each, told from the third person omniscient that gives the reader all they need in order to connect and to put the pieces of the story together.

Language and Meaning

Nichols uses descriptive imagery to paint a picture of each of the main settings in the novel. From his descriptions of The Rocks, the yachts...